It’s a huge boost that the gaffer has signed a new deal so soon after ­coming to the club

Kenny Miller

Not just to Wembley this afternoon for a ­Carling Cup Final showdown against Liverpool but, possibly, all the way to the promised land of the Premier League next season.

It’s why Miller rejected the easy option of ­returning to Rangers six months ago and opted instead to head to the Welsh outfit when their new manager Mackay came calling for his ­services.

And it’s why he and his team-mates were thrilled to learn last week that their inspirational boss had penned a new deal, tying him down until 2016 and ending fears he might jump ship for top-flight strugglers Wolves.

Miller believes the timing of that news could not have been better, ­insisting it has given everyone a major shot in the arm ahead of the Bluebirds’ third trip to north-west London in four years.

The Scottish skipper, 32, said: “It’s a huge boost that the gaffer has signed a new deal so soon after ­coming to the club.

“If you look at all the Championship managers, then Malky has got to be right up there for what he has done in such a short space of time. It’s no surprise to see his name in there, with four or five others, whenever jobs crop up.

“If he’s offered one, then like everybody else he has ambition and wants to manage at the top level. But, as long as this team is doing well, I’m sure the gaffer will be here.

“The contract is a reward for what he’s achieved already. And it shows his dedication and love for the club and that he wants to take Cardiff into the Premier League.

“That’s his ultimate goal and the club ­see him as the man to take them where they haven’t quite got to in the last few years.”

Miller has known Mackay, 40, since their days together in the Scotland squad.

And he has revealed the no-­nonsense former West Ham and Watford ­defender brings similar qualities to the ­coaching table.

He is clearly a persuasive man, too, as he ­demonstrated last summer by talking ­Miller into swapping life with Turkish club ­Bursaspor for a spell in the Welsh capital.

Miller told the Daily Star Sunday: “Malky was a typical centre-half – a big, aggressive man. He’s the same as a manager. He does not leave you guessing what he wants from his team. Malky was a big part in me coming here.

“He’s a ­winner and wants to be ­successful. And I am. That’s why I wanted to be part of that.”

As well as being in the race for ­automatic ­promotion, Cardiff are through to the first major domestic showpiece of the campaign.

And that means Miller is gunning for the record books.

A goal against Liverpool today and the ex-Rangers, Celtic and Wolves ace will have scored in a final at each of the national stadiums.

He did it at Hampden Park in the Scottish Cup Final. He did it for Wolves at the Millennium Stadium in the Championship play-off final. Now, he needs to find the net at England’s HQ to bag a treble.

Miller, with 58 Scotland caps, said: “When I left Rangers I thought my days of reaching cup ­finals were over. I never ­expected to get to ­Wembley and the League Cup Final with Cardiff.

“Nonetheless, it’s here and it’s an opportunity for us to go and win the trophy. That’s the way we’re treating it.

“Liverpool are a top side but Birmingham showed what can be done when they beat ­Arsenal in last year’s final.